CONTACT: Prof. Dr. Herman J. Selderhuis [email protected] (for TUA); Prof. Dr. Adriaan C. Neele [email protected] (for PRTS)

For immediate release: September 15, 2017

 Apeldoorn / Grand Rapids—The Theological University Apeldoorn (“TUA”) and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (“PRTS”) today announced a strategic partnership of the establishment of a Puritan Research Center. This strategic partnership exemplifies the vision of the strengthening and sharing of resources in the service of the academy and church internationally.

Puritanism is widely regarded as a post-reformation movement, working out the ideals of the Protestant Reformation, and is the subject of intense scholarly interest because of its significance as a movement of reform in doctrine and practice, and the profound legacy it left on America’s religious, political and intellectual landscapes, as well as its appropriation by the Dutch Nadere Reformatie and German Pietism.

The Puritan Research Center will serve as a research, education, and publications hub for study of Puritanism, the Nadere Reformatie, and German Pietism, with the goal being to develop links with the academic community in Europe and USA.

Joel R. Beeke, President of PRTS comments, “The objective of the Puritan Research Center is to promote and encourage worldwide research, education, and publication, that will serve both the church and the academy.”

Herman J. Selderhuis, Rector of TUA continues, “The Puritan Research Center will promote the study of historic trajectories, early modern context, life and thought of major and minor figures, and global legacies, all from a variety of perspectives, and thoughtful discussions that deal with all facets of Puritanism.”

The primary means to achieve this is through the Puritan Research Center, a digital learning environment for research, education, and publication, that presents primary and secondary writings, along with helpful editorial materials that allow the reader to examine Puritan thought in powerful, and useful ways. The Puritan Research Center is accessible online at: www.prc.prts.edu

Since 1894, the Theological University of Apeldoorn has been fulfilling its historical mission to educate ministers for the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk in the Netherlands (The daughter denomination in North America is called the Free Reformed Churches). The university has developed into an institute for theological studies and research, which also benefits those outside this denomination, both in the Netherlands and abroad. The philosophy of the university is based on the authority of God’s Word, and the university strives to combine the Reformation and the Reformed confession with the realities of church and society in the 21st century. The university numbers more than 125 students, in addition to three professors, two assistant professors, thirteen lecturers, and a support staff of seven.

Founded in 1995, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is now an accredited educational institution for granting the MA, MDiv, ThM, and PhD degrees. Its mission is to prepare students worldwide to serve Christ and His church through biblical, experiential, and practical ministry.  The seminary numbers close to 150 students, has ten professors, twenty globally renowned scholars as adjunct faculty, and a support staff of twelve.